Edison apologizes to veterans for Indian flag switch

Edison officials are apologizing for what they said was an unintended slight to veterans after the POW/MIA flag was removed from a pole outside Town Hall Wednesday so the Indian tricolor could fly below the American flag.

"There was never any intention to disrespect or dishonor veterans or any group of people," said Mayor Jun Choi. "We have enormous respect for the tremendous sacrifices made by our veterans and the servicemen and women currently defending our freedoms."

Veterans groups said they will be meeting with Choi tomorrow morning to discuss their concerns about the ceremony, which the township held to mark India's 60th anniversary of independence from Britain.

Flag experts, though, said Edison committed a triple faux pas in the ceremony.

According to Peter Ansoff, president of the North American Vexillological Association, aside from angering the sentiments of veterans, Edison flew two nations' flags together on the same pole — a violation of the flag code — and then flew the POW flag over the Indian flag, an insult to India.

"They are just pieces of colored cloth," Ansoff said. "But people get attached to flags, and risk their lives for them."